Fulham are meeting candidates to replace Roy Hodgson as the club's manager this week, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Alan Curbishley thought to be among the favourites. Dickson Etuhu, the midfielder, said he hopes a new coach is in place soon to ward off other clubs who are "sniffing" around Bobby Zamora, the club's leading striker.

Fulham embark on a pre-season tour to Sweden in two weeks' time and are intent on finding a new manager before leaving for Scandinavia. Alistair Mackintosh, the chief executive, is hoping to complete the process by the end of this week.

It is understood that no formal approach has yet been made to Eriksson, although the former England and Manchester City manager – who left his post as Ivory Coast head coach following their elimination from the World Cup at the group stage – would be interested in taking over at Craven Cottage. Mackintosh worked with Eriksson at Eastlands when he was City's chief executive.

Etuhu said his brother, Kelvin, who plays for City, had discussed Eriksson with him. "I've heard some good things about him because my brother had him at Man City but it would be hard for anyone to take over from Roy Hodgson. He's been a great manager for us and I look forward to working with whoever they bring in. I can't really point at any of them, I just want us to get a manager in, get the season started and move on."

Etuhu added: "A few of the players at the club have got one year left on their contracts – Simon Davies, Bobby Zamora has got a couple of years left and he's got clubs sniffing all over him."